What Is Victoria Osteen's Net Worth?
Victoria Osteen is an American author and pastor who has a net worth of $100 million. That is a combined net worth with her husband of more than three decades, mega-pastor Joel Osteen. Victoria Osteen is the co-pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. In 2003, she founded the Lakewood Church Women's Ministry, where she serves as co-pastor. Her service is broadcast on the Daystar Television Network, and she also appears on the radio station 89.3 KSBJ in Houston. Victoria authored the 2008 book "Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy, and Whole," which reached #2 on the "New York Times" Bestseller list. She began releasing children's books in 2009.
Early Life
Victoria Osteen was born Victoria Iloff on March 28, 1961, in Huntsville, Alabama. She is the daughter of Georgine and Donald Osteen. Her father worked as a mathematician for General Electric and was a member of the company's Saturn rocket project team. When Victoria was two years old, her family moved to Houston, Texas, when her father got a job with NASA. Osteen grew up near the Manned Spacecraft Center, which is now called the Johnson Space Center. She attended Church of Christ, where Georgine was a Sunday school teacher and Donald was a deacon. Victoria studied psychology at the University of Houston, but she didn't graduate from the school. While attending college, she worked at her mother's jewelry store. Victoria met her future husband, Joel Osteen, when he came into the store in search of a new watch battery.
Career
Joel's parents, John and Delores, founded Houston's Lakewood Church in 1959, and Joel became the senior pastor after his father's death in 1999. In 2003, Victoria founded the Lakewood Church Women's Ministry, and she is a co-pastor there. Her sermons are streamed live on the internet and broadcast on the Daystar Television Network. Osteen has also been regularly featured on the 89.3 KSBJ radio station in Houston, and she has appeared on television shows such as "60 Minutes," "CBS Mornings," "Larry King Live," "Oprah Prime," "Piers Morgan Live," "Huckabee," "Hannity," "The Dr. Oz Show," "Good Morning America," and "Steve." Victoria published the 2008 "New York Times" bestseller "Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy, and Whole," and she has also released the books "Exceptional You!: 7 Ways to Live Encouraged, Empowered, and Intentional" and "Fearless and Free: Inspirational Thoughts to Set Your Attitude and Actions for a Great Day!" as well as the children's books "Unexpected Treasures" and "Gifts from the Heart."
Personal Life
Victoria married Joel Osteen on April 4, 1987, and they have welcomed two children together. In late 2005, a Continental Airlines flight attendant, Sharon Brown, accused Victoria of shoving her after Osteen "failed to comply" with her instructions. Witnesses disputed this claim, but one passenger said of Victoria, "She was just abusive. She was just like one of those divas." Osteen was fined $3,000 by the FAA, and Brown filed a civil suit against her, seeking more than $400,000 in damages. In August 2008, a jury ruled in Victoria's favor and cleared her of civil liability. Osteen supports the women's shelter The Bridge and the charitable organization Feed the Children.
Real Estate
In 2010, the Osteens moved into a $10.5 million mansion in River Oaks, Texas. The 17,000-square-foot home includes six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and several fireplaces and elevators. A guest house, swimming pool, and pool house sit on the 1.86-acre property.
